THERE is much speculation over the future of President Jacob Zuma as a number of critical issues come simultaneously to a head.
Appointment of left leaders to office has not meant that left programmes have been followed. In fact, the macro-economic policies to which they objected have largely been continued.
My sense is that Zuma could go tomorrow or stay and possibly even see out his term of office.
The questions we, as citizens, need to ask are whether Zuma’s departure would solve our problems, and whether they can simply be put at the door of this one individual.
Undoubtedly Zuma has attracted high levels of adverse publicity due to his patterns of conduct, not only his links to patronage and corruption, but also his identification with extreme patriarchal views, running against constitutional values.
But before we celebrate, should he be removed, we need to ask what will be done about the environment within which Zuma has thrived.
Whether Zuma stays or goes we, as citizens, need to ask what we want in our country. What do we need to do to recover and safeguard our democratic gains?
Regrettably, that cannot be answered overnight. But we need to be active in deciding our own future.
Professor Raymond Suttner is attached to Rhodes University and Unisa. He is a former political prisoner and was in the leadership of the ANC-led alliance in the 1990s. He blogs at raymondsuttner.com. His twitter handle is @raymondsuttner. This article appeared first on Creamer Media’s website: polity.org.za
If Zuma goes what do we do about leftover situation
Appointment of left leaders to office has not meant that left programmes have been followed. In fact, the macro-economic policies to which they objected have largely been continued.
My sense is that Zuma could go tomorrow or stay and possibly even see out his term of office.
The questions we, as citizens, need to ask are whether Zuma’s departure would solve our problems, and whether they can simply be put at the door of this one individual.
Undoubtedly Zuma has attracted high levels of adverse publicity due to his patterns of conduct, not only his links to patronage and corruption, but also his identification with extreme patriarchal views, running against constitutional values.
But before we celebrate, should he be removed, we need to ask what will be done about the environment within which Zuma has thrived.
Whether Zuma stays or goes we, as citizens, need to ask what we want in our country. What do we need to do to recover and safeguard our democratic gains?
Regrettably, that cannot be answered overnight. But we need to be active in deciding our own future.
Professor Raymond Suttner is attached to Rhodes University and Unisa. He is a former political prisoner and was in the leadership of the ANC-led alliance in the 1990s. He blogs at raymondsuttner.com. His twitter handle is @raymondsuttner. This article appeared first on Creamer Media’s website: polity.org.za
Would you like to comment on this article?
Register (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Trending Now
Latest Videos